Here’s an easy recipe that is healthy and delicious. Make sure to save some for later, it’s even better the next day! Serve it with as slice of rosemary bread.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 lb. Italian style ground pork sausage
• 1 14oz. can ready-cut diced undrained tomatoes
• 1 14oz. can garbanzo beans, drained
• 3 cups beef broth
• ½ cup sliced yellow summer squash
• ½ cup sliced zucchini
• ¼ cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup uncooked rotini pasta
• Shredded parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.
  

  Linda’s Minestrone Soup

Directions:
In a large stockpot, cook sausage, onion and minced garlic. Then add carrots, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, beef broth, basil, oregano, pepper and olive oil. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10-15 min. covered. Add zucchini, yellow summer squash, and uncooked rotini. Bring to a boil and then simmer 10-15 min. covered.

Serves 4

Warm up a crowd on a late Fall/early Winter evening with this comforting stew! Makes a great meal when served with tossed salad and fresh French bread.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. beef chuck or round steak, cut into chunks
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. white pepper
1 c. beef broth and water
1 bay leaf, crushed
2-4 whole cloves
Dash of dried thyme leaves
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
6 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 onions, sliced
Broccoli spears (optional)
1 green pepper, sliced

Directions:
In Dutch oven, brown meat, a little at a time; discard excess fat. Add salt and pepper. Stir in beef broth and water; bring to a boil. Add bay leaf and cloves. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until meat is almost tender, for about 1¼ hours. Add thyme. Add vegetables. Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes until vegetables are tender crisp and meat tests done. Serve piping hot.

From Kathy M, Solutions’ resident expert on home & garden tips & how-to’s:
For those of us who work full time, going out to lunch or getting take-out every day can be hard on the wallet – not to mention the waistline! That’s why this winter I decided to start bringing my lunch from home…
Continue Reading Kathy’s March Picks, Bring Lunch to Work and Save

A subtle flavor of stout gives this hearty stew a distinctly Irish appeal! Serves 4-6.
Continue Reading Irish Beef Stew